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PROFILE: Sharon Yonker

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.

Born and raised in Connecticut, later moving to Berwyn, Pennsylvania with her husband Dan, Sharon learned how to play tennis at the local YMCA, where she taught aerobics classes.
“I started playing tennis when I was 27. I worked at the local YMCA, so I got free babysitting for my children. They came with me because they were zero and two years old at the time. I also got free classes, so I got to take tennis. I had never picked up a racket, but I thought it would be kind of fun. I fell in love with the game.”
Sharon met her husband, Dan, at Denison University in Ohio. After graduation, they traveled through Europe.
“When we came back, we said whoever gets a job first, the other will move to that area. Dan found a job in Berwyn, so I moved here, and we’ve been there ever since.
“My son Charlie works for a catering company in Orlando, and he loves it,” she said. “My daughter Laine works in Manhattan, but due to the pandemic, she decided to stop paying rent because she could never go to her job. Now she’s a nomad, spending a few weeks in Boston and here in Boca Grande. She says that it’s been the best thing ever for her. She was paying so much money in rent, and now she can live anywhere.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Woman’s Club thanks all for a tremendous virtual auction response

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

On behalf of Boca Grande Woman’s Club, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our island community for its magnanimous support of our annual fundraiser. When it was determined that gathering in a tent for “A Grande Gatsby Affaire” was not in the best interest of our community, we proceeded with a virtual auction. Most of our generous ticket holders converted these purchases to donations. Many island businesses and residents donated unique items and experiences to the auction. Other altruistic Boca Grande residents provided sponsorships and donations.

The Island Golfer: Which is the better game, tennis or golf?

Written by Scott Cotherman on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.

An age-old debate among fans of both sports is whether golf or tennis is the more enjoyable game.  Both have experienced strong, double-digit growth in recent years. There are those who love to play tennis and others who enjoy the game of golf. Then there are those who spend a lot of their free time playing both sports.
Islander Bill Bax is a mid-handicapper who plays golf at Coral Creek Club and tennis at the Boca Bay Pass Club. He did not start playing either sport regularly until he finished college, took a job and started entertaining clients. “I can play golf a lot better now than I ever did before, but I don’t put in the short-game practice required to be a low-handicapper,” Bax admitted. “I am more proficient at tennis because of my consistency and athleticism. I can make all the shots in golf, but never on the same day.”

More details disclosed about new Banyan Gasparilla Sound resort

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

This week it was announced that Banyan Gasparilla Sound, just outside of Boca Grande at the Fishery property, has opened up their sales through Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty’s Rich Taylor.
The announcement contains the most details released to date and includes information about the 99 condominiums, designed by SB Architects, that start at $1.3 million. The sizes will range from 1,400 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedroom options and will be decorator ready.
The project also includes 83 fully furnished resort residences.

Two well-known artists together for the first time

Written by Susan Hanafee on . Posted in News.

Two artists who have made their mark in Boca Grande and nearby communities – John Mitchell Sr. and Carroll Swayze – are joining forces for the first time in a show that opens on Friday, Feb. 18, on Cole Key, better known as the Boca Grande North Club House at 6020 Boca Grande Causeway.
The opening reception will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 and will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20. All are welcome. There is no charge for entry to the show.

BGHPB approves St. Andrew’s garden, Journey’s End projects

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.

“This is an issue where we can’t tell if this property is contributing or non-contributing,” said Hahn. “And as we looked at the history, although we originally placed it as a contributing property, it was listed as a non-contributing property. When it was nominated into the national register, and it was all under one person’s ownership, it was listed as part of a complex. The building is considered part of the historic district. We think that based on the evidence provided here, the building should be considered contributing.” 

Becoming a centenarian

Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness.

By Dr. Raymond James, Boca Grande Health Clinic If you’re looking to have a long, productive life, there’s a lot to be learned from the lifestyle choices made by people in the world’s “Blue Zones” – places where people live the longest and are healthiest. These “secrets to longevity” were discussed in the January 25 […]

History Bytes: The Davis brothers remember some of their best years

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.

Doug and Frank Davis spoke for themselves, their sister Robin Davis Melvin and Doug’s wife Gail Coleman Davis at the Feb. 9 History Bytes presentation. During the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, the Davis family lived in Arcadia and in Belle Glade but their summers and holidays were spent in a house on Gilchrist, across from St. Andrew’s Church, that was haunted. The ghost they called George appeared regularly. A bedroom door would open, a bright light would be seen – Doug says it looked like someone had turned on the hall light – then a figure would appear. Once they found footprints on the hall floor in some spilled body powder Robin or her mother Judy used before going to bed. And their dog, Coco, growled at sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs but there was no one there. While startling at first, George was not threatening and they learned to live with him.

Internationally renowned organist to christen new organ at St. Andrew’s

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.

“Jeremy is phenomenally talented and internationally recognized for his extraordinary playing of both organ and piano,” said Alan Corey, Minister of Music at St. Andrews. “He has many highly regarded recordings to his credit.”
Dr. Filsell is the Organist and Director of Music at St. Thomas Church, 5th Avenue, New York City, and the men and boys’ choir director, the only existing boys’ choir school in the country.
St. Andrew’s new organ comes from the Walker Organ Company. John Carpenter, the company’s president, is expected to attend the concert on Friday.